opinions on 'luxury' watches wanted.

[johng]

Hi all.

My 40th is fast approaching and I'm thinking of being totally indulgent and buying an Omega seamster watch - or similar.

only thing is I know very little about what to look at, or indeed if going second hand is viable? Do any of you own a watch like this or have any advice - apart from knowing a £10 casio may better time etc etc etc....

many thanks,
John.

 

[bluewolf]

I have a 10 year old Omega Seamaster (had it from new). I love it. What makes it better is that I know I can give it to my lad when he gets married (Ive already promised it to him). Then I'll just get a new one. They are expensive, but you won't need to buy another...

 

[SteveF]

I have 2 Rolexes; a Yachtmaster and a Datejust. I like them both very much.

The Datejust was bought new in, I think, 1995 and I gave £1900 for it. Last year that one was valued at £4k but, realistically, if I wanted to sell it now it would go for around £2k. They do hold their value if you hold onto them long enough, but they don't stack up as an 'investment' in the way people seem to believe ( or maybe in the way they try and make their wife believe )

I bought the Yachtmaster second hand with no papers or history, it was a bargain at £1400 ( valued last year at £6k ) but very much a risk. I was confident that it was genuine because I've handled a lot of Rolexes, but there is a 'lost and stolen' register and if your watch is on that register you are handling stolen goods so it is a serious risk.

Secondhand is a viable route, you should expect to get them for around 50% of the retail price. I would advise a dealer purchase, though good dealers aren't always just the high street jewellers.

There are a lot of desirable watch brands that hold their value, Omega being one so those Seamasters might be worth having. I would go to a dealer and have a look at a good range to see what you like and what suits you. For Rolex, the original box and papers are quite a big deal so you want serious discounts if they come without those because it does affect future re-sale value.

It should also be said that mechanical watches are not that accurate so the reality is that a £10 Casio will tell you the time every bit as reliably . Whenever people say that to me I'm kinda stuck for words, you either like nice watches or you don't...

 

[USER1999]

Got two omegas, and a longines. Love mechanical watches. Hate batteries. Time is indication only though. Servicing costs are not cheap.

 

[Naybrains]

Seamaster is a very nice piece of kit, looks good and even tells the time.

Was gonna come on bragg about the watches in my collection but better not, not sure how trustworthy this new fangle forum is!!

 

[Dodger]

I have a watch that looks nice, tells the time and has a strap that keeps it on my wrist...job done.

Never understood why anything further is needed but each to their own.

By the way even the smiley's on this new forum are pish.

 

[RobbOnTheRock]

I have an Omega Seamaster 300m quartz movement. I love it!

Bought last year for 1200, it came from an official omega dealer here in St johns I looked at the blue face type, but settled on the black face type instead.......Im so glad I did, I love it.

A nice present, but really for me 1200 is as much as I'd want to spend on a watch.

I have promised my watch to one of my sons, so I guess that means I need to buy another so it's fair.......maybe the blue face type..........

Cheers
Andy

 

[G1BB0]

not quite in the same realms but relevant, got a seiko kinetic back in 1999 (ish), still works flawlessly today and looks the same as the day I bought it, paid 189 quid and they still retail for the same if not more

quality always holds a value imho

 

[drawboy]

I have a Seamaster and a breitling Aerospace both lovely watches but the one I really covet is the Rolex Submariner. The Omega is a middle of the road watch really loads out there and affordable. One day I'll own the Submariner.

 

[Aztecs27]

My everyday watch is a Frederique Constant ltd ed auto which can only be purchased from the top of mt. jungfrau in Swizz. I love it but it's not high end by any means. I will be happy when I own a Seamaster and maybe a Longines. Watches are awesome.

 

[RGDave]

Watches, eh? got to love 'em.

I have some old and previously valuable ones, in fact they are so old that apparently they're now worthless, apart from the scrap value of the gold/white gold.

If I can judge anything by this tale, it's that beware of tales of things holding their value.

Buy one 'cause you like it.

That's why I have a fake Rolex from the best forgery outfit in China.

 

[Essex_Stu]

The Omega seamaster Planet Oceans are really nice especially the one with the orange bezzle. Another good alternatitive option is a Raymond Weil Freelancer 'open heart'. They are a beautiful Automatic where you can see the movements and are slightly cheaper than the quartz Omega Seamaster.

 

[Ken_A]

I always promised myself a nice watch, but never managed it. On my wedding day the Mrs gave me a Tag Heuer F1 - I had looked at it a few times and just refused to pay for it.

I wear it every day and love it - A friend has a Breitling and tbh I think the next big occasion will be my chance to get one but the TH will be passed to jnr first.

 

[CliveW]

Watches, eh? got to love 'em.

If I can judge anything by this tale, it's that beware of tales of things holding their value.

Unless you happen to own a 1970s Rolex Explorer II Orange Hand AKA The Steve McQueen.

http://www.vintagewatchcollector.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/137

 

[bobmac]

Haven't worn a watch in 11 years. There's clocks everywhere

 

[colint]

I've got 2 Omegas, a Seamaster 300M Chrono that I've had for about 10 years, and a 1958 Seamaster that the Mrs bought me for my 40th. Love them both.

Second hand is a definite option but like mentioned earlier, I'd go to a dealer if you're going down that road, especially if it's your first one. Worth mentioning that you can usually get a discount of up to 20% on most of the major brands RRP with the exception of Rolex. Rolex pull the franchise from any dealer they hear is giving discount, which keeps both the new and second hand value high.

This is a pretty good forum for watch info

http://www.watchtalkforums.info/forums/content.php/

 

[sev112]

sounds like those seamaster watches are a bit "common" then ...

 

[johng]

thanks for all the opinions guys, much appreciated. I've just spent the morning visiting a few of the jewellers in Cardiff looking at shiney things- not golf clubs for a change. TAG appear to be an equally good brand, but cost less than omega. I can get an automatic Tag for less than a quartz Omega, not sure what to do now? I've always wanted an Omega, but, cost is an issue and if I'm spending that much a large part of me believes that a mechanical watch is the option to go for.

At least there's no rush to choose - just need to keep looking at them I suppose.

 

[drawboy]

Stick to the Omega mate, forget TAG in my opinion, until you spend a lot on a TAG you will not get much in the way of quality or style.

 

[Essex_Stu]

Forget Tag mate. When they were just Heuer they were great watches. Since they became tag they are nowhere near the quality(no offence to anyone who has a TAG). Stick to Omega, you are buying quality.